16, May 2026
Former Agriculture student receives Honorary Doctorate from his University
Hyderabad’s Agri entrepreneur, who created new export categories for India honoured by UAS Bengaluru
Hyderabad, May 16, 2026: In a rare and significant recognition, the University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore conferred an Honorary Doctorate on its former student, Hyderabad-based agripreneur Dr GVK Naidu, Founder and Managing Director of Sam Agritech, during its 60th Convocation Ceremony.
UAS is India’s premier agricultural university and among the country’s oldest institutions dedicated to agricultural education, research and extension. Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor and Chancellor of the University of Agricultural Sciences, presided over the function and formally presented the Doctorate.
The honour is considered exceptional, as agricultural universities seldom confer honorary doctorates upon their own alumni. It recognises Dr Naidu’s pioneering contribution to India’s fresh produce export sector and his role in transforming agricultural innovation into globally competitive business models.
Responding to the recognition, Dr Naidu said, “I never imagined that the university where I once studied would one day honour me with a doctorate. This recognition belongs to the farmers, employees, and partners who have been part of this journey.”
Founded in 1996, Sam Agritech has emerged as one of India’s leading integrated exporters of fresh and value-added produce. The company has played a key role in developing new export categories from India, including fresh pomegranate arils, fresh-cut coconut chunks, fresh figs, dried arils, and ready-to-eat fruit segments.
In recent years, the company has also diversified into high-value crops such as Hass avocado cultivation, blueberry initiatives, and almond processing, aligning with evolving global demand trends and expanding India’s horticulture footprint.
Sam Agritech operates a fully integrated farm-to-market ecosystem across South India, including nurseries, captive farms, high-care processing facilities, and international marketing networks. It is also recognised for establishing multi-locational high-care processing units near cultivation zones, enhancing product freshness and food safety.
The company adheres to global standards, including HACCP, ISO, Global GAP, BRC, US FDA, SMETA, and Fair Trade certifications, and has made a notable social impact, with over 90 per cent of its workforce comprising women in rural processing operations.
Industry observers describe the honour as recognition of the growing importance of value addition, innovation, and market-linked agriculture in India’s agri sector.-
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- By Neel Achary
16, May 2026
India Emerges as New Manufacturing Hub for Original Marconite Following ELASIA 2026 Announcement
Bangalore, 16 May 2026
In a significant development for India’s electrical infrastructure and industrial manufacturing sector, Intertech and UK-based James Durrans & Sons have announced plans for phased manufacturing of original Marconite in India. The announcement was made during ELASIA 2026, South Asia’s premier trade fair dedicated to the power, electrical, controls, automation and lighting industries.
The proposed localisation initiative is aimed at supporting India’s rapidly expanding infrastructure ecosystem while aligning with the Government of India’s “Make in India” vision for advanced industrial technologies.
James Durrans & Sons, a 163-year-old British company and global manufacturer of Marconite technology, has been associated with Intertech since 2011 to expand the product’s reach in India. David Wilson of James Durrans & Sons said the company had identified India as a key strategic growth market nearly two decades ago before partnering with Intertech to establish Marconite across the country. Since then, the partnership has steadily expanded, with the product now being supplied across sectors including solar energy, power utilities, oil and gas, railways and metro infrastructure projects.
The companies confirmed that work is currently underway to establish manufacturing pathways, raw material sourcing and technical processes required for local production. The first phase is expected to involve the establishment of a pilot manufacturing facility within the next 12 to 18 months, after which operations could be scaled further for the wider Indian market.
Intertech CEO Gurumohit Singh said the company has consistently focused on technically engineered earthing solutions designed specifically for Indian operating conditions. He noted that Intertech follows a scientific approach involving soil resistivity analysis, fault current calculations and site-specific engineering before implementing any grounding system.
Marconite, originally developed for military and radar applications, is globally recognised as a carbon-based conductive material used in earthing and lightning protection systems. Unlike conventional grounding compounds, the product is designed to be waterless and maintenance-free, ensuring long-term operational reliability without recurring servicing requirements.
Over the years, Marconite technology supplied by James Durrans has been deployed globally across several critical infrastructure and defence-linked sectors, including organisations such as British Telecom, the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Air Force and Saudi Aramco. In India, Intertech has established a strong presence across industrial and infrastructure segments, with projects and clientele including Tata Steel, Apollo Hospitals, Motherson Sumi, STUDDS, Avaada Energy, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army and Delhi Metro.
With the proposed localisation of original Marconite manufacturing, Intertech and James Durrans aim to strengthen India’s access to globally proven earthing technologies while contributing to the country’s long-term infrastructure and manufacturing ambitions.
16, May 2026
XLRI Jamshedpur announces the Second Batch of Public Policy & Sustainable Leadership (PPSL)
Jamshedpur, India: Building on the successful launch of its pioneering executive education initiative in public policy and leadership, XLRI – Xavier School of Management has commenced admissions for the second batch of its flagship Public Policy & Sustainable Leadership (PPSL) programme.
Launched in collaboration with the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India, PPSL, the one-year hybrid executive programme, has emerged as a distinctive interdisciplinary platform bringing together policymakers, administrators, academicians, development professionals, sustainability practitioners, professionals from private sector under one academic ecosystem. One of the unique elements of the programme is the eclectic class mix comprising of both government sponsored candidates and self-sponsored candidates.
The inaugural cohort includes officers from the Government of India (IAS, IPS, IFoS and State Civil Service officers) and various state governments, senior professionals from UN Women, PSI India, Council on Energy, Environment & Water (CEEW), PCI India, IBM Research Labs, and academicians from public administration institutes.
The 180 hours programme has been carefully designed to accommodate working professionals through a hybrid delivery format combining two short immersive campus residencies with interactive online sessions held on Sundays. It offers a multidisciplinary curriculum covering public policy, public finance, public management, public systems, governance, sustainability, leadership, stakeholder engagement, business strategies & non-market strategies and emerging developmental challenges.
Speaking about the programme’s relevance and impact, Prof. Kalyan Bhaskar, Associate Professor, XLRI and Programme Director of PPSL, stated:
“The PPSL programme reflects XLRI’s larger vision of creating responsible leadership at the intersection of public policy, governance, civil society and public value creation. The diversity of the participants enriches classroom discussions, peer learning and enables meaningful dialogue between administration, academia, development sector and industry.”
With increasing complexities in public policy, governance, sustainability transitions and public administration, the programme aims to create a new generation of leaders capable of designing inclusive, ethical and evidence-driven solutions for society.
The second batch is expected to further strengthen the programme’s relevance by fostering collaborative learning among officers, practitioners and professionals working across public systems and developmental institutions.
The last date for application is 18th August 2026. The program commences on 18th September 2026 with the inaugural campus component at XLRI Jamshedpur.
More details about the programme, eligibility and admissions are available at the XLRI website. Link: https://application-portal.xlri.ac.in/ppsl
16, May 2026
Eros Innovation Brings 200+ Industry Leaders Together at Cannes Next to Debate Sovereign AI and the Future of Film
CANNES, 16 May 2026: Eros Innovation presented AI in Asia at Cannes Next, the official innovation track of the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes, on 14 May 2026. The three-hour programme at the Village Innovation, Pantiero, followed by a reception, brought together over 200 studio leaders, sovereign funds, government representatives, filmmakers, and technology companies to discuss sovereign AI, AI-native storytelling, and the future of film financing.
The programme focused on the idea that Asia is building the infrastructure for AI-native culture through sovereign and rights-aware AI systems. Eros Innovation’s Large Cultural Models (LCMs), launched at the IndiaAI Summit in New Delhi by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, as a sovereign AI initiative and trained on 1.5 trillion rights-cleared cultural tokens, formed the technological foundation of the discussions. The platform launches globally as Eros Universe in June 2026.
“We came to Cannes not to talk about what AI is doing to the entertainment industry, but to show what happens when AI is built from inside culture rather than on top of it. The industry once embraced VFX because it expanded human creativity rather than replacing it. We believe Cultural Intelligence is the natural next evolution — AI built responsibly to enhance creator value, protect identity, and unlock entirely new forms of storytelling for the global entertainment industry.”, said Kishore Lulla, Founder, Eros Innovation.
The programme opened with a keynote by Kishore Lulla, followed by a fireside conversation with Joerg Bachmaier, CEO of Studio Babelsberg, on how AI is changing large-scale film production while preserving human creative decision-making.
The first panel, Sovereign AI vs Platform AI – Who Owns Culture?, examined the development of sovereign AI systems outside dominant US and Chinese platform ecosystems. Speakers included Paul Trillo of Asteria Films, Alex Serdiuk of Respeecher, and Ridhima Lulla of Eros Innovation, with moderation by Anssi Komulainen of the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. Discussions focused on AI-native filmmaking, consent-based voice AI, cultural datasets, governance frameworks, and creator identity protection systems.
The second panel, AI-Native Storytelling – Not Assisted, Not Enhanced, Native, explored the shift from AI-assisted production to AI-native storytelling. Christina Caspers-Röhmer of Trixter (Cinesite Group), Shin Chul of BIFAN, Ridhima Lulla, and VFX supervisor Martin Madsen discussed AI-native character systems, evolving VFX workflows, and the growing AI filmmaking ecosystem in Asia. The session was moderated by Mikael Windelin.
The final panel, The Future of Film Financing in the AI Era, focused on how AI-driven cost compression and new financing structures are reshaping film funding and ownership models. Speakers included Marc Iserlis of Republic and filmmaker Miguel Faus, whose debut feature Calladita became the first blockchain-crowdfunded film. The discussion, moderated by Piyush Bhatia of Eros Innovation, also referenced Eros Innovation’s own film securitization model.
16, May 2026
Gig Workers Call Nationwide 5-Hour Shutdown, Demand Rs 20 Per Km
New Delhi, May 16 (BNP): Gig workers associated with app-based transport and delivery platforms have announced a five-hour nationwide shutdown demanding better wages, social security benefits and a minimum payment of Rs 20 per kilometre.
Representational image
The protest call, supported by several gig workers’ unions and associations, is expected to affect app-based cab services, food delivery operations and logistics services in major cities across the country.
Worker representatives alleged that rising fuel prices, increasing maintenance expenses and reduced incentive structures have significantly impacted their earnings in recent months. They claimed that despite rising operational costs, the per-trip payments offered by aggregator platforms remain inadequate.
Among the key demands raised by the workers are a guaranteed minimum fare of Rs 20 per kilometre, fuel compensation, insurance coverage, social security benefits and transparent payment policies.
Union leaders said the temporary shutdown is intended to draw attention to the financial challenges faced by lakhs of gig workers who depend on app-based services for their livelihood. They also urged the central and state governments to frame comprehensive welfare policies for workers in the gig economy sector.
Meanwhile, commuters and customers in several metropolitan cities may face inconvenience during the protest period due to reduced availability of ride-hailing and delivery services.
Several aggregator companies are yet to issue detailed responses regarding the shutdown call and the demands raised by workers.
16, May 2026
Inaugural California Outdoor Economy Summit Highlights Rural Economies and Land Stewardship
On June 3–5, Cal Poly Humboldt will host California’s inaugural Outdoor Economy Summit, a new statewide event exploring how outdoor recreation drives economic growth, job creation, and long-term community resilience.
The three-day summit, located at the Adorni Center in Eureka, is a partnership between Cal Poly Humboldt, Redwood Region RISE, and Humboldt County’s Economic Development Division.
The event reflects a growing recognition that outdoor recreation—which encompasses activities ranging from camping, RVing, and fishing to amusement parks and festivals—is more than a lifestyle or amenity; it’s an economic force. In 2024, outdoor recreation generated more than $1.3 trillion in economic output nationwide. That’s about 2.4% of U.S. GDP, which supports more than 5 million jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
In California alone, outdoor recreation contributes more than $80 billion annually to the state’s economy, supporting more than 589,000 jobs.
“As California leads the nation in outdoor recreation—activity that supports thousands of jobs and helps drive our economy forward—it’s encouraging to see this gathering of regional leaders dedicated to expanding its economic benefits in Humboldt County,” says U.S. Sen. Adam B. Schiff. “As I continue the fight for more rural economic development, I am grateful for local leaders coming together to ensure we are protecting and strengthening our natural landscapes to support outdoor recreation.”
“California’s $81 billion outdoor recreational economy leads the nation,” says State Sen. Mike McGuire. “The Golden State’s incredible beauty sets us apart from the rest with the tallest trees on earth, our famous coastline, mountains, and deserts—it’s one of the most special places on Earth. And with every segment of the Great Redwood Trail completed, we’re offering unparalleled access to Northern California, and tapping the benefits of outdoor rec economy straight into our rural communities.”
“The outdoor economy is a major economic driver in California, but there’s an opportunity to grow it in a way that’s sustainable and supportive of our communities, including our Tribal communities,” says Genevieve Marchand, summit coordinator and Recreation Administration professor at Cal Poly Humboldt. “This summit creates a collaborative space so we can better understand how we can invest in and sustain it.”
The summit comes at a pivotal moment, as Assembly Bills 2578 and 2494—focused on strengthening outdoor recreation planning and investment across California—signal growing statewide attention to the sector’s economic and environmental impact.
“With growing attention at the state level, this is the right moment to bring partners together,” says Calder Johnson, summit coordinator and sector investment coordinator of arts, culture, and tourism at Redwood Region RISE. “The summit helps connect policy, investment, and on-the-ground work in a meaningful way.”
Speakers and participants include representatives from Hip Camp, California Natural Resources Agency, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, Founded Outdoors, California Council of Land Trusts, California Jobs First, the Great Redwood Trail Agency, and youth leaders involved in outdoor access initiatives. They’ll examine topics such as:
- Ecotourism and agritourism
- Representation in the outdoor economy
- Workforce needs
- Business development and investments
- Tribal lands and projects
- Land stewardship
- Long-term community and economic resilience
The California Outdoor Economy Summit is intentionally place-based. By convening leaders in Humboldt County, a region deeply connected to its forests, waterways, coastline, and Tribal lands, organizers hope what’s learned here can be applied across the state.
“This summit is designed to meet the moment,” Marchand said. “Through collaboration, stewardship, and shared commitment, we can move closer to an outdoor economy that works for communities while protecting the lands and waters that sustain them.”
16, May 2026
Rising Fuel Costs and Freight Pressures Reshape Export Industry Dynamics
By:- Rishabh Jain, Director- International Business, Petros Stone LLP
“The recent fuel price hike of over ₹3 per litre is significantly increasing both domestic logistics and international freight costs at a time when exporters are already dealing with high ocean freight rates and volatility in the West Asia corridor. While the weaker rupee offers some temporary relief on export realisations, it only partially offsets the rising cost pressures. What we are seeing across the industry is not strategic agility, but survival-driven adaptation. Many manufacturers are slowing production, liquidating inventory, and fulfilling orders through existing stock to manage working capital. At the same time, less competitive players are struggling to sustain operations, leading to a gradual consolidation within the sector.”
16, May 2026
Foundation Stone Laid for Sangita Jindal Craft Shila under JSW IP Holdings Initiative
Chandigarh, May 16 : The Kanoria Centre for Arts announces the Foundation Stone-Laying Ceremony of Sangita Jindal Craft Shila, marking the formal commencement of construction of a new space dedicated to the exhibition and practice of craft. The ceremony took place today, 15th May (Friday) in the Urmila Kailash Black Box at the Kanoria Centre for Arts, Ahmedabad.
Named in honour of Sangita Jindal, whose sustained support has contributed significantly to the visibility and growth of Indian craft traditions, the Sangita Jindal Craft Shila is envisioned as a vibrant, evolving platform within the Kanoria Centre campus.
The project is designed by Studio Sangath, an AD100 architecture firm led by Khushnu Panthaki Hoof and Sönke Hoof. The studio had earlier designed the Kanoria Art Shop (Galleria30) and the Urmila Kailash Black Box and continues its long association with the institution.
Conceived as both an exhibition space and an active workshop environment, the Sangita Jindal Craft Shila will provide a setting where craft is not only displayed but also experienced as a living process. It will bring together artisans, artists, designers, and audiences through exhibitions, hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and collaborative engagements.
At a time when craft is moving beyond just preservation towards new ideas and conversations, the Sangita Jindal Craft Shila aims to highlight the knowledge, skill, and stories that are part of craft practices. The space will encourage people to engage more closely with the process of making, while also supporting artisans and practitioners in exploring new directions and ways of working.
The foundation stone ceremony marked by a plaque unveiling, symbolising the beginning of this new addition to the Kanoria Centre for Arts.
Through this initiative, the Kanoria Centre for Arts continues its long-standing commitment to promoting artistic practices and creating meaningful spaces for learning, exchange, and creative production.
16, May 2026
Yogi govt’s AI vision gains new momentum, Lucknow emerges as a growing hub of technology and innovation
New Delhi, May 16: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is rapidly emerging as one of the country’s largest hubs for technology and AI innovation. In line with this vision, more than 50 IAS officers and senior administrators from across India participated in the ‘AI Transformation Conclave 2026’ held in Lucknow on Friday.
During the conclave, a high-level capacity-building workshop on the theme ‘The AI-Powered Public Administrator: Competencies for a New Era of Governance’ was conducted by Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, founder of NIHIT and Sherpa of Working Group-7 of the India-US CEO Forum.
Dr. Subi Chaturvedi said, “Uttar Pradesh, especially Lucknow, is emerging as the most suitable center for AI innovation in India. Earlier known for its culture and heritage, the city is now building a new identity as a hub of innovation under the current government’s leadership.”
She added, “With companies like InMobi launching deep-tech operations in the state, a new ecosystem of governance, research, talent, digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurship is taking shape in Uttar Pradesh.”
The conclave also featured extensive discussions on the Uttar Pradesh government’s ambitious AI policy and technology vision.
Recently, the country’s first AI City was approved in Lucknow’s Vrindavan Yojana at a cost of ₹368 crore, while a special budget allocation of ₹225 crore has been made for the UP AI Mission.
On this occasion, Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the State Transformation Commission, stated that Uttar Pradesh is moving towards becoming a national model for AI transformation in government functioning, which will further accelerate the state’s goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy.
Principal Secretary of the IT and Electronics Department, Alok Kumar, said, “The government is fully committed to building robust infrastructure for emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and deep-tech innovations.”
Special provisions for the UP AI Mission, AI City, and other emerging technologies have been included in the recent budget.
The conclave also witnessed detailed discussions on the role of AI in the AI ecosystem, cybersecurity, digital governance, MSMEs, startups, and citizen-centric services.
Referring to the ‘MANAV’ framework presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Chaturvedi emphasized ethical, accountable, accessible, and human-centric AI. She said, “Inclusive growth and a trustworthy technological future can only be achieved through safe and human-friendly AI.”
The NIHIT platform is an important initiative operating under the India-US CEO Forum, supported by InMobi, Mastercard, and Tata Sons. It functions as a knowledge-sharing platform aimed at strengthening innovation, startups, MSMEs, cybersecurity, and global supply chains between India and the United States.
16, May 2026
Rupee Breaches 96-Mark for First Time, Hits Historic Low Against Dollar
Mumbai, May 15 (BNP): The Indian Rupee plunged to a historic low on Friday, breaching the 96-mark for the first time against the US Dollar amid rising crude oil prices, a stronger American currency and escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The domestic currency touched an all-time low of 96.14 during intra-day trade in the interbank foreign exchange market, falling 50 paise from its previous close of 95.64 on Thursday. The rupee had opened at 95.86 before slipping further during the trading session.
Forex traders attributed the sharp decline to growing global uncertainty, particularly the intensifying Iran-Israel conflict and concerns over possible disruptions in crude oil supply through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Market experts said investors are increasingly moving towards the US Dollar as a safe-haven asset amid fears of geopolitical instability and volatile energy prices. Rising crude oil costs have also added pressure on the Indian currency, as India remains heavily dependent on oil imports.
According to analysts, the rupee has emerged as one of the worst-performing Asian currencies this year, registering a decline of over six per cent so far in 2026.
Financial observers warned that a prolonged weakness in the rupee could increase import costs, fuel inflationary pressure and impact domestic fuel prices in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India is expected to closely monitor the foreign exchange market to maintain stability.
